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A Message for Benchwarmers

Written By Stacie Mahoe

No matter how many, or how few, teammates you have, the reality is, only 9 can fit on the field at a time. For smaller teams, this may not leave too many players on the bench. For larger teams, it's possible that half the team is left sitting on the bench.

Regardless of team size, as a non-starter, you are probably far more important than you realize. In fact, I believe that “the bench,” the non-starters, are the foundation of a team . They are the ” rock” or the “sand” starters stand upon. After all, a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link and teams are only as strong as their weakest players.

You can have great talent on your team , but all it takes is one person's negativity and doubt to weaken a team. On the flip side, a solid, positive bench that stays “in the game” serves as a strong foundation for starters to rely on for much needed support in the toughest of times!

If you're not a regular starter, always remember, no matter what your skill or experience level, YOU bring something special to your team. There IS at least ONE thing you do better than anyone else on your team. Make it a point to contribute that each and every day. Imagine what would happen if each person on your team did this. How many different areas of the game would your team have strengths in?

Think about it for a minute. What do you do better than anyone else on your team? Figure out what that is and be the absolute best you can be at it for your team all season long!. Your team needs what you have to offer!

After each and every game, you should know that you did something to help your team whether you played every pitch or none at all. If you can't think of anything you did to help then you didn't do your job. You' re important. You matter. You're either affecting your team positively or negatively every day. There's no in between. Make your impact a positive one.

How?

One way to do is to PUSH yourself in practice.

Why?

1. Because you will improve your skills faster

2. Because you will increase your chance at earn ing some playing time

3. Because pushing hard in practice helps you get GAME READY just in case the starter in front of you gets sick, gets injured , has some kind of outside obligation to attend instead of coming to the game, or simply has a bad day

4. Because coaches love players that go hard in practice and HOW you practice leaves 1 of 3 impressions in your coaches mind:

a) you do things half heartedly because you don't play much and the coaches are left with a negative impression of how you practice making them less likely to choose you if a playing opportunity arises

b) you don't slack but you don't push yourself either so you don't stand out in your coaches mind, again, you ‘ re not the first person that comes to mind if a playing opportunity arises

c) you work hard and push yourself daily, a very positive impression is branded into your coaches mind about H OW you practice which greatly increases the likelihood you ‘ll the a chance to play should the opportunity present itself

5. Because the more you push yourself, the harder the starter in front of you works which helps them raise their game to a higher level which, in turn, makes the team better!

Pushing yourself daily is just ONE way to help your team as a non-starter. The more you push, the better you get, the better your team gets, and the bigger the contribution you make to your team's success!

But that's not all you can do to help your team succeed . Here are 10 more ways you can help your team and make a positive impact from the bench …

– Show up on time

– Set up, carry, or put away equipment

– Help set up practice or pre-game stations

– Help keep the dugout organized and clean so everyone can get in and out quickly and safely

– Study your opponent- Retrieve foul balls during a game

– Communicate game situation reminders to those on the field

– Hustle

– Keep the team atmosphere positive by constantly encouraging and uplifting your teammates

– Hold yourself accountable to perform the best you can each day

I'm sure you can think of a few more after reading that list. Think about it, then choose 2-3 areas you can focus on and start making a positive, memorable difference on your team .

Stacie started playing fastpitch softball at the age of 9 and Founded All About Fastpitch in 2004. Stacie also served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Softball Performance. She currently blogs about Fastpitch softball at StacieMahoe.com. Her perspectives on the game as a former player, current coach, and current softball parent provide unique insights on various softball issues. Visit her website at StacieMahoe.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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